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The label of this Australian wine reads: ‘19 Crimes is inspired by those who, beginning in 1788 were transported to Australia, for a life of hard labour…’ Each wine bottle’s cork states one of these ’19 crimes’ for which ‘criminals’ could be deported. Recent corks have revealed three of these crimes: 1. GRAND LARCENY, THEFTContinue reading “Deportation Principle or Marriage Principle?”

He’s turned my mourningInto dancing againHe’s lifted my sorrowsI can’t stay silentI must sing for His joy has come There’s so much bad stuff going on in the world. I turn on the news and see wars, famines, refugees, suffering… In my own world I see people living with pain and disappointments. In times ofContinue reading “Mourning Into Dancing”

Since we moved to East Anglia we’ve heard stories of land that’s fallen into the North Sea… there’s frequent news about erosion, sea defences, homes being lost…  ‘Elephant’ is an exciting new play that’s set in a house that’s balanced on an eroding cliff in North Norfolk. Four interesting characters assemble; the rising tide eatsContinue reading “Falling off the Cliff”

A petrol station in Hunstanton announces: ‘Please use both sides’. I smiled. You can’t use both sides! You have to choose one side or the other… Son-Andrew sent us pictures of blue skies and sunshine from his holiday in the Lake District… Yesterday Hunstanton certainly wasn’t ‘Sunny Hunny’. It was cold and grey. We hadContinue reading “Please Use Both Sides”

Yesterday we visited Pensthorpe – a 700 acre nature reserve of woodland, gardens… and  lakes, that are home to a diverse range of ducks and geese. Their publicity says: ‘Pensthorpe is the ultimate destination for discovery and an action-packed day out for the whole family. Here you can explore magical gardens, take a trail throughContinue reading “Flamingos Talk… Chickens under the Bed…”

We visited ‘Fakenham Fairways’. Their website reads: ‘A little bit of fresh Norfolk air can do us all good.’ Yesterday’s fresh Norfolk air was cold and wet. ‘…Have a round of golf. Our 9 hole pitch and putt course is great fun for all the family.’ How do we define ‘fun’? Musing… life’s a roundContinue reading “Golfing Skills”

Yesterday we visited Holkham Hall… nearly lost our football in the lake. There was a sign ‘Keep dogs on a lead’; there wasn’t a sign ‘Don’t kick footballs at geese’. We had the obligatory Grandad nonsense conversation about the deer… Herd of deer? Of course I’ve heard of deer… Are they dear deer? I don’tContinue reading “Dads at Holkham Hall”

We’re on holiday for a few days with Daughter-Jo and family at a cottage in Norfolk. Family tradition necessitates that there are repeated conversations that take the form: Child: Can I have an ice-cream, please. Me: Did I buy you one yesterday? Child: No Me: Then I must buy you one today. Such conversations startedContinue reading “The Joy of Repetition”

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. This week’s ‘Sunday Song’ is a simple Taizé song, quoting the words of the robber crucified with Jesus.   I’m reading Solomon Northrup’s ’12 Years a Slave’. Born a free man in 1808, he’s kidnapped and sold intoContinue reading “Jesus Remember Me”

Good friends Barry and Bridget came to stay. In the middle of the night a shadowy figure entered our bedroom. Me: I think you’re in the wrong room. Barry: What? Barry tried to get into our bed! Me: I think you’re in the wrong room! Barry: Eh?… OK Barry’s shadowy figure left the room. Barry’sContinue reading “Right Person, Right Thing, Right Time, Right Place”